Introduction

Bleeding occurs when the nasal membrane is damaged, or when any of the blood vessels within the nose are ruptured. The medical name for nosebleed is epistaxis.

The majority of nosebleeds are not serious, but medical advice should be sought if nosebleeds occur as a result of head injury or a known medical condition.

Symptoms

There are two types of nosebleed:

• An anterior nosebleed occurs towards the front of the nose and is usually characterised by rapid bleeding.

• A posterior nosebleed occurs further back into the nose and may not be immediately apparent, as the bleeding associated with it is more likely to be a slow trickle.

Treatment

Anterior nosebleeds can usually be treated following basic first aid techniques to stem the flow of blood and encourage it to clot:

• Sit the person upright and forwards to reduce pressure on the blood vessels of the nose and prevent blood from flowing into the throat and causing nausea.

• Pinch firmly just below the hard part of the nose, using thumb and forefinger. Do this for at least 10 minutes, until bleeding has stopped. Should the bleeding continue for more than 10 minutes, consult a doctor.
  Ensure that the person remains calm and still for a while following the nosebleed.

• If the nosebleed has occurred as a result of a head injury, consult a doctor to rule out the possibility of a fractured skull. Posterior nosebleeds should also be checked by a doctor.

Extract taken from NHS Direct www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk